So I saw a 3rd gen dodge today, the paint on it was perfect except for some really bad rear wheel well rust. After doing a little bit of research it seems like a lot of people are having this issue. Should I be worried about this? Anyone else experienced this? I just bought my 2004 dodge less than a year ago, so see wheel-well rust would be a nightmare.

 

When I bought my 03 new, I installed rear wheel well fender liners....more for the looks. Now I beleive these liners helped prevent road debris (salt) from getting up inside and around the wheel well lips and inner framework. I have had my trucked oiled yearly...and quickly take these liners out so the oil spray can get up inside the rear wheels and box. So far...everything is great....and no rust around rear wheel openings.

You might want to consider some wheel well liners if your truck doesnt already have them.

 

I bought my 03 new as well. Oil spray yearly and no rust. My truck has been blasted with salt over the years. I spray the truck myself and am sure to spray a little extra oil in the rear wheel well area.

 

My 06 is rusting pretty bad. Just got a line on a clean southern bed. Maybe I'll try the oiling thing with the new bed. What kind of oil & how do you spray it up in there?

 

The last few years I cheaped out and have been using used gear oil and Fluid Film aerosol cans for door hinges small things in engine compartment. I have also used rust proofing oil from Napa as well. This year I am going to search for a 5 gallon pail of Fluid Film. Fluid Film is suppose to be a really good product! I apply it with a under coating gun using compressed air. I also have a hose attachment to get into the front fenders doors tailgate etc. Also if you ever take your front wheel well liners out this is a great time to spray in there.

 

Why don't you guys just buy some rubber undercoating in a spray can it's like $4 and thats just as good

 

Yeah, im going to do that this coming week now. This happened to my old Dodge-D150 I had, and it just crushed me. I think this is something Dodge is bad for, for some reason. I know people with old silverados, that just sit in their yard and never get wheel-well rust.

 

Well the problem with the rubber undercoating is if there is already any rust where you are going to spray it, the rubber traps everything in and makes the rust worse in no time. Thats why it is best to use some type of oil.

 

I just sprayed my wheel wells with 3M rubberized undercoating to prevent rust..I had minor specks there but I don't think it was a big deal. Hardware stores sell Rust prevention paints and they come in a variety of colors so it is possible to find nearly body colored rust preventing paints. I personally prefer the black undercoating over a silver ready-to-rust wheel well

 

Covering rust with undercoating as mentioned earlier makes rust spread quicker because rubber isn't really a sealant over time it becomes pourus and seeps moisture through making rust do its damage a lot quicker. I think personally the fluid film is the best option to rid rust and fluid film penetrates rust thus creating a real barrier from the elements unfortunately has to be re applied from time to time depending on weather and time of year. Only cure for rust is oil!!! Fluid film with wool wax comes in a can that says fluid file right on it!!!